FROM: Barbara Hannah, Chief Counsel
SUBJECT: SBCERA Resolution Regarding Returning Retirees' Re-Employment in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
RECOMMENDATION:
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Approve and adopt Resolution No 2020-03 - A Resolution of the Board of Retirement of the San Bernardino County Employees' Retirement Association (SBCERA) to Suspend Portions of SBCERA's Retiree Returning to Work Policy in Response to the COVID-19 State of Emergency.
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BACKGROUND:
On March 4, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a statewide state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 12, 2020, the Governor issued an Executive Order suspending the restriction against retirees returning to work within 180 days of the date of separation, and suspended the 960-hour limitation on retirees who return to work. There was no specific mention regarding whether the suspension applied to city or county retirement systems. On March 20, 2020, the Governor issued another Executive Order extending the provisions to local governments in order to "ensure adequate staffing to appropriately respond to the COVID-19 pandemic."
A Resolution of SBCERA to Suspend Portions of SBCERA's Retiree Returning to Work Policy in Response to the COVID-19 State of Emergency is attached as Exhibit A. Staff has prepared the resolution to ensure clarity and consistency between SBCERA's policies and the Governor's Executive Orders. The Resolution suspends a portion of the SBCERA Benefits Policy No. 032, while leaving the remainder of it intact, and will expire when the Governor lifts the state of emergency.
Staff issued a memo to all of SBCERA's participating employers on March 27, 2020, to provide them with guidance on retirees returning to work under the Governor's Orders, which is attached as Exhibit B, and prepared a form for employers to use, which is attached as Exhibit C.
Staff respectfully requests that the Board approve and adopt Resolution 2020-03.
BUDGET IMPACT:
None.
STRATEGIC PLA...
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